In the wake of Arrow and The Flash’s success – and with a Vixen web series soon to follow – it’s no surprise that more series based on DC properties are being mooted, although the annoucement of a Supergirl series was perhaps one more out of the leftfield. Now, however, fuel has been added to the fire, with the name of the actress who will be playing Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, being revealed, according to HitFix.

It turns out it will be none other than Melissa Benoist. Most famous for her role as Marley Rose in Glee, she has since gained plaudits for her role alongside Miles Teller and JK Simmons in the Oscar-nominated drumming/bullying epic Whiplash. Producer Greg Berlanti has previously raided the Glee alumni for the casting of The Flash via Grant Gustin, so it’s interesting to see if the trick will work again.

Speaking at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said “As you can tell from the strength of the female characters we have on television… it’s a real passion of ours. We heard the pitch to Supergirl, and we realised that she embodied so many of the qualities and the characteristics of classic female heroines on this network, and we think that it is a story and a coming of age opportunity for us. We also just fell in love with the pitch. We think she’s a great character, and I love the superhero genre.”